Owner and teacher Samantha Rogerson said: "We want to raise as close to that target as possible so we can take the pressure off the parents.

"A lot of the kids have never been to London, let alone performed in the West End, so they are excited about that.

"We have been showing them pictures looking out from the stage into the theatre and there is an absolute mix of excitement and fear on their faces. They can't wait."

Their dance will start by paying homage to William Wilberforce and the slaves he freed, to the sound of George Michael's Freedom.

Then, an air-raid siren will sound in tribute to the Blitz and the horrendous bombing the city endured during the Second World War.

The children will then break from more sombre matters into all the positives of Hull, with dancers in football and rugby shirts and words by poet Philip Larkin.

Then, it will gradually build up to the crescendo, focusing on the bid to be UK City of Culture 2017 and how proud the students are of the city.

Samantha said: "The kids have learned so much about the city by doing this. At first, we were telling them they should be proud of Hull but as it has gone on, they feel genuinely proud of where they come from.

"They feel like they are representing Hull when they are down in London and showing people what a great place it is."

Charlotte Ulph, nine, said: "We have been practising hard. I love dancing, but I have never danced in a different place like London before. I am really excited."

Annabel Wild, eight, said: "I am really excited. It is my second show with Space Dance and my first in London. I am looking forward to seeing the city and performing."

Niamh Chilvers, nine, said: "I want to raise money to go and I have been helping pack bags at the supermarket and we did a dance-a-thon where we stayed awake all night. It was good fun. I am proud to come from Hull."

Ella Bolton, eight, said: "I like being on stage and hearing everyone clap. We have raised a lot of money, which has been really good."So far, the fundraising total stands at £4,000 following an all-night dance-a-thon in the studio in Grafton Street, off Newland Avenue, bag packing, raffles and quizzes.

The next big fundraiser will be a Father's Day dance, where children, dads and grandads will dress in onesies and boogie across the Humber Bridge.

They will also hold a jumble sale this Sunday at the studio, from 10am to 3pm.